Folding cot



June 10, 1952 HSCHER 2,600,104

FOLDING COT Filed March 4, 1949 INVENTOR JACOB G. FISCHER Patented June 10, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Jacob G. Fischer, \Brookl M gicot Sl ep 'Broduc Y ssi'snor to Us Ina, Bro k yn; N- Ye a corporation of New York ppl cati n Mar h 19 9, Serial No. 79,533

(CLv -''1l1) 9 Claims. 1

This invention involves improvements in folding cots 01' beds of the type normally stored in iolded condition.

This invention is concerned with means in folding cots or beds of this general type and more specifically in those such as disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 26,272, filed May 11, 1948, now abandoned.

The more important object of this invention is to provide a folding cot structure of the general type disclosed in my above mentioned application, but in the considerably modified form as herein disclosed.

A broad object of this invention is to provide an improved and simple form ,of latching means for locking folding cots or beds in collapsed position.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved form of latching means for folding cuts or beds adapted to very simple operations in latching them in collapsed position and imlatching them when they are to be opened for use.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide as a part of such latching mechanism a pillow or headres-t.

Other and more detailed objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the embodimentof the invention selected for illustrating the idea thereof herein.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a side elevation'al view ofa cot in accordance with this invention showing it in open position; I

Figure 2 is a similar view showing the cot folded and latched closed;

7 Figure 8 is a lefthand elevational view of the structure as illustrated in Figure 2-;

Figure 4 is a detailed, cross-sectional view of the latching mechanism taken on the line li -'4 oI Fieure .3;

5 is a still further detailed crossiseccoral view on the line 5- 5 of 3; and v 7 Figure 6 is an enlarged elevatlonal view ofv the latch finger.

In the form of struc ure illustrated herein, although some of the parts thereof have been eliminated. many of the parts are of substantially the same construction as the corresponding parts of the structure illustrated my ab e mentioned application. It follows, therefor that the not or bed frame as before comprises a pair of U-shaped frame members i and 2, which may be formed from single pieces of iron or'other suitis composed of aproperly bent frame members I and 2 and able material of proper structural shape, as for example angle iron.

As illustrated, each of these LJ-Eshaped frames 7 sin le pie o angle iron, but it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that-these flames 9 1 be madeu'p of individual side and end members connected together at the corners in any suitable manner, as by Weldin riveting, or the like, nd ei forced y suitable bracin members when desirable. V

illustrated in Figure .1, when the cotis opened the 'U -shaped frame members. I and 2 lie in the same plane with the free ends of their side arms lying in adjacent relation as indicated at 3 in Figure 1. These two frames are hingedly connected together at each side near the ends of the free side arms by pairs of hinged levers I9 and 20 which are respectively riveted to. the hin edly con ected together by means of pivot pins 2 l V The side arms of each of the u-shaped frame members I and: are provided near their closed ends with elongated slots 4 and 5. .A pail of l bars -8 ..8 are pivotally connected intermediate their ends at 9 and are provided attheir lower ends with casters I0:-'-.l 0. There is a pair of these leg bars 8+8 at each side of the fram membe I (see F-ig. 3)., which are connected by suitable cross-braces, tone of which is indicated at 8' i the same figure, to give them the proper lateral rigidity. Tension springs ll interconnect the lower ends of each of the leg bars 8-8. as shown. The upper "end of one :of the leg bars 8 of each of the pairs is .slidably attached to. the frame member I by means of a pin 6 which rides in a slot 4, and the upper end of the other le 8 of each pair is pivotally connected to the same frame at [3 which provides fixed pivot points for these leg bars. Pivotally secured to the pivot pins '6 1s a pair of links 22 which are also pivotally attached to the hinge plates 20. at 22'. Th ends of the links 22 extend beyond the Pivot points}? and are pivotally connected at "23 1110 another pair of links 24 which are slidably connected to theirame 2.\ by means of the pivot pins I mounted in the slots '5,

A pair of links M is also pivotaljlvmountedat l3 on the frame I and arepivotally connected at I? a U -shaped yoke l1, which yoke in turn is plvotally mounted at I8 adjacent the free ends of the side members of the frame member 2 (see Fig. 1). The yoke 11 provides a strengthening cross-brace for the mattress frame. The pivot pins 18 may also serve to attach the hinged, plates or wire foundation for readily foldedabout a Figure 1 the hinge pins 2!;

20 to the frame 2, or may be separate pivot pins for the yoke ll.

Secured to the bight of the U-shaped frame 2 is a U-shaped frame 26 comprising a head or pillow rest which may be formed from a single bar of suitable material such as strap iron by bending into the form clearly shown in Figure 3 with the terminal ends of the side arms of the frame being extended laterally, as indicated at 26', so as to underlie the frame 2 when the parts are in the position shown in Figure 1. The free terminal ends of the offset extensions 26' are connected together by a cross-brace 28 which may be of angle iron, as shown in Figure 4, and which is attached thereto by welding, rivets, bolts, or the 7 like. The frame 25 is attached to the crossmember of the U-shaped frame 2 by means of headed pins, bolts or the like 21, and is slightly spaced therefrom by means of washers2'l best shown in Figure 5. The contact area of the washers 21' with the frame 2 and the frame 26 permits a rocking or clockwise motion when the cross-brace 28 is pushed or pulled for a purpose to be explained later. A pair of tension springs 29 is connected between the side arms of the frame 26 and the mattress frame 2.

The legs for the head end of the mattress frame may be of any suitable construction, as for example a' U-shaped frame 36 which is pivotally mounted at its free ends to the frame 2 by. means of pivot pins 40 (see Fig. 1). Bracing links 31 pivotally connected to the sides of the frame 36 are mounted at their other ends on the, sliding ins I.

p The bight of the U-shaped frame I is provided with a struckout latching lip l, as clearly shown in Figures 4 and 6.

The rectangular frame resulting from the positioning of the U-shaped frame members i and 2 in the same plane as illustrated in Figure 1, is provided with the usual spring tensioned strap the mattress M. This mattress is, Of course, of the type adapted to be transverse medial line so that it may assume either of the positions shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The cot is' folded from the. position shown in to the position shown in Figure 2. by lifting'upwardly on the head end of the frame 2 which causes it to pivot on the frame [about As this pivoting occurs the links 22 and 24 pivot on their pivotalconnection 23 andon the pivot pins 22'. As they, pivot the pins Band I slide in the slots 4 and respectively from their positions as shown in Figure. 1,

to the positions shown in Figure 2; As this occurs the hingedly connected leg members 8collapse, placing the tension spring I I under greater tension. As the pivot pins slide from one extreme position to the other the leg frame 36 is caused to fold down-within the frame 2.. the folding progresses, the links M cause crossbracing yoke I! to fold down substantially into the plane of the frame 2, as i clear from Figure 2.

As the cot reaches fully folded position the latching finger I engages over the edge of the cross member of the headrest frame 26, as clearly shown in Figure 3. The length of theframe 2 6 is proportioned so that some pressure must be applied to compress the sections of the mattress M at the time latching occurs, so as to insure a compact unit when folded. The natural compressibility of the mattress providesthe'desired emotion of the latching members. The springs 29 urge the headrest frame 26 towards the latching lip I.

form a part of such an article of furniture.

To unlatch the folded cot so that it may be opened it is only necessary to press down on the cross-bar or handle 28. This pressure will further compress the sections of the mattress M and at the same time will impart suflicient clockwise rotation, as indicated in Figure 4, to the head rest frame 26, to cause it to disengage the As this pressure is released the natural resiliency of the mattress will cause the frame sections I and 2 to move apart so that the pillow frame 26 moves out of engaging relation with respect to the latching lip I. The bed may then be easily opened by swinging the upper U-shaped frame '2 in clockwise direction, Fig.2, to the position shown in Figure 1, during which movement the legs 88 will be returned to extended position aided by the tension spring H, the leg frame 36 will move out to right angle relation with the U-shaped frame 2 and the links 22, 24 and I4 and the yoke I! will return to their normal extended position.

In review then it will be seen that by a rather simplified structure there has been provided a readily foldable bed or cot which can be opened and closed by one person, and which may be easily latched in folded position and unlocked when it is to be opened.

The construction of the latch is such that the latching frame 26 has an additional useful function in that it serves as a resilient back or headrest. The fact that the latching frame 26 may rock on the end of the frame section 2 restrained by the springs 29 provides a yieldable support for the pillow. In other words, this frame under the restraint of the springs 29 may yield backwardly or in a clockwise direction (see Fig. 1) when a person leans against it, permitting him to assume a more comfortable position.

Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that somedetails of the construction herein illustrated may be varied while still employing the novel subject matter herein disclosed and claimed. I donot, therefore,-desire to be restricted to the single illustrative embodiment herein set forth.

What is claimed is: Q i

1. A folding cot comprising a-mattresssupporting frame including at least two frame sections pivotally interconnected, leg members pivotally mounted on each frame section, a linkage system interconnecting the leg members and one of said frame sections for causing said leg members to fold or unfold as the frame sectionsare pivoted withrespect to each other, and means comprising a head rest and a latchingfinger mounted on opposite ends of the frame sections for self-latching cooperation when the frame sections are folded in parallel relation.

2. In the combination of claim 1, said head rest being pivotally secured to the end of one frame section. V y

3. In the combination of claim 1, said head rest being pivotally secured to the head end of one frame section, and spring means for biasing said head rest in a latching direction. i

4. In the combination of claim 1, said head rest including a frame pivotally secured to the head end of one frame section, and spring means for biasing said head rest frame in a latching direction, said frame including a handle for retating said head rest frame in the opposite direction for unlatching operation.

5. In the combination of claim 1, said head rest comprising a pillow frame pivotally mounted on one frame section, and a latching projection secured to the end of the other frame section.

6. In a folding cot having a mattress frame comprising at least two frame sections connected for relative hinged movement whereby said sections may assume a parallel spaced relation, a latching mechanism for locking said frame sections in such relation consisting of a head rest frame attached to the outer end of one frame section, and a cooperating latch finger attached to the outer end of the other frame section.

7. In the combination of claim 6, said frame consisting of a U-shaped frame having its free ends bent inwardly and a cross-brace connecting said bent ends, and means for attaching said frame to said one frame section to permit rocking movement thereof.

8. In the combination of claim 6, said frame consisting of a U-shaped frame having its free ends ofiset laterally and a cross-brace connecting the terminal ends of said offset ends, means for attaching said frame to said one frame section to permit rocking movement thereof, and spring means for urging said frame in a latching direction when said frame sections are in parallel relation.

9. In a folding cot a mattress, a mattress frame comprising at least two frame sections pivotally connected together whereby said sections when folded lie in parallel spaced relation with the mattress folded between them, a latching mechanism for locking said frame sections in such relation consisting of a latching arm pivotally mounted to the outer end of one frame section, means for biasing said latching arm in latching direction when the frame sections are folded into parallel relation, and a cooperating latching finger attached to the outer end of the other frame section, whereby said latching arm automatically engages said latching finger when the frame sections move into folded position.

JACOB G. FISCHER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 893,364 Piaser July 14, 1908 1,096,209 Vincent May 12, 1914 1,348,156 DeDoes Aug. 3, 1920 2,231,993 Fischer Feb. 18, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 651,778 France Oct. 15, 1928 

